In criticizing the rap music industry for setting a negative example for young people, Muhammad said young people were following “faggots” who were paid by the “Synagogue of Satan” to keep people “deaf dumb and blind.”

Specifically, Muhammad said:

“… the young people is following behind faggots in this industry, straight up. Individuals who have sold their soul to the devil for a piece of paper. This is why when you listen to rap music, what do you hear? Degrading of black women, because they are being paid by the Synagogue of Satan, to keep our people deaf dumb and blind…”

View that portion of Muhammad’s speech here:

Muhammad later returned to the podium and apologized for the anti-gay slur, saying he did not intend to offend the gay community; but he, again, made reference to the “Synagogue of Satan.”

A statement issued by The Simon Wiesenthal Center this week reads:

“The Simon Wiesenthal Center commends the organizers and coordinators of the recent Community Prayer and Call to Action event for condemning and disassociating themselves from the mean-spirited and anti-Semitic references made by Lancaster Commissioner Stan Muhammad at the July 20th event. Mr. Muhammad’s remarks were hurtful and divisive and have no place in civil discourse. We call upon Commissioner Muhammad to apologize for those remarks, and the civic leadership of Lancaster to make it absolutely clear that the community will not tolerate any form of bigotry, especially from its public servants.”

Contacted Friday, Muhammad said he would not be making any other statements on record. He indicated that he was committed to tolerance and to serving at-risk members of the community.